Beaches empty as alerts heeded
Popular beaches around Hawke’s Bay were largely empty yesterday, following temporary warnings to keep out of the water due to the approach of Cyclone Cody and the large volcanic eruption at Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’pai near Tonga.
Tsunami activity was expected to result in strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges along the shore.
Ian Macdonald, group controller of the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, said the combined impact of the two events meant there was a ‘‘real safety risk’’ to people close to or in the water.
The warning to stay off beaches was lifted just after 7pm due to reduced marine activity, but people were warned strong and unusual currents and surges could continue for another 24 hours.
Waipatiki Beach, about 35 kilometres north of Napier, normally draws crowds but was deserted yesterday mid-morning. Other popular beaches such as Waimarama, about 25km south of Hastings, were also largely empty.
Pacific Surf Life Saving Club captain Leah Cooper had put out signs notifying people of the unsafe swimming conditions following advice from Civil Defence urging people to stay away from the water.
‘‘The currents are not acting quite as they usually would. It’s also looking a bit more unpredictable.’’
Leigh Howchow has been at the Waipatiki Beach Holiday Park since last Sunday and was enjoying her caravan’s ‘‘sea view’’ now that other campers had left. It was her second time at the park with friends Suzanne and Richard Angus and, while she normally had a swim most days, would be staying out of the water.
They had also taken precautions such as turning their cars to face the road and would likely pack away their awnings and deck chairs if the wind picked up.
Tina Bell is a regular at the holiday park, for close to 20 years. She had seen quite a few storms in that time so was interested in seeing how the cyclone might impact the region. ‘‘ We have had a think about how quickly we can pack up if it gets rough.’’
Many campers had left that morning and she was enjoying the quieter atmosphere. She planned to spend another week at the campground.
MetService advised the risk of heavy rain from Cyclone Cody was now less than previously expected as it began tracking further east.
An earlier heavy rain watch for Gisborne had been lifted, but a severe wind watch remained in place for Bay of Plenty, east Ōpōtiki, and Gisborne, north of Tolaga Bay, from 3am today.